Barton and I are still situated in "Apartment Asgard". Thor, it seems, has burst through the side of the building and flown off. Most likely to the new residence of one Jane Foster. I will have to make a call to her when it is more convenient.
Loki has somehow made a miraculously speedy recovery from the arrow and offered to make dinner for myself and Barton. Given our prior experiences with him, this was something we did not swallow easily. I had Natasha on the phone in minutes and requested her immediate presence in the apartment. A few minutes with Loki would be enough for her to assess if this was genuine or if there was an underlying plot.
I excused myself when she arrived to examine the damage from outside the building. Thor didn't make a big mess when he left, though the obvious gape in the wall would need to be sealed up. Not a very big job, all things considered.
This is when I received the call.
Barton asked me to pick up some ice cream before heading back to the apartment. This puzzled me to an extent, but I grabbed some from a nearby store anyway. I returned to find Natasha and Clint at the table with Loki, who had cooked rosti and provided cookies and pop tarts despite food supplies having been cleared out due to Protocol: "Home Schooled".
My initial thoughts were not to be drawn into this, but Natasha assured me that he was legitimately telling the truth and I found myself having Loki's cooking for dinner. I was still wary, but I trust Natasha's instinct.
The meal was satisfying and Loki made a humble request for the return of his pets. I suppose it wouldn't do that much harm for that, since they were relocated when he disappeared.
It would be the right thing to do. "An enemy is only so in war, in peace, we make amends". I'm sure that would be what Captain Rogers would say.
UPDATE: It is with much horror that I realise Captain Rogers never returned with us from Operation: Red Point. In fact, he disappeared halfway through the op. I am increasingly worried for him, even though I know full well he is capable of handling himself. I will be putting in a request for a Quintjet to take me back there as soon as possible.
